What is DTT?

DTT stands for Digital Terrestrial Television (or Transmission). It refers to the
terrestrial, or land-based, broadcasting of digital television. South African television
is currently broadcast in an analogue format with the country in the process of
switching over to DTT.
What is terrestrial broadcasting?
Terrestrial broadcasting means a network of land-based towers is used to transmit
signals to television sets within a certain coverage area. If you are within a
terrestrial broadcast area your TV will be able to receive a signal via the aerial
usually placed on a roof or directly on a TV set. Satellite television uses satellites in
the sky to relay the signal to earth via a satellite dish.
What is the difference between analogue TV and digital TV?
Analogue TV signals are transmitted in the form of electromagnetic waves whereas
digital TV signals are digitally compressed. This means at least eight new digital TV
channels can be provided with the same amount of electromagnetic frequency as
one analogue TV channel.
Why are we migrating from analogue to digital?
The world needs to migrate from analogue TV to digital TV to release spectrum that
is needed for a variety of telecommunications services.
Radio spectrum is a scarce and valuable resource which means all countries need to
use it more efficiently. The move from analogue to digital TV is one vital part of the
global strategy to properly manage spectrum.
How does South Africa fit into the worldwide broadcasting landscape?
South Africa coordinates its frequency plans with other countries to ensure that
there is no interference with other countries broadcasting signals.
This means that analogue TV broadcasts are currently protected from interference.
However, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has mandated that this
protection should stop by 2015. The result is that all countries will have to complete
the switch to digital TV by this date.
Has this migration been done elsewhere in the world?
Yes. Examples of countries that are advanced in their migration process include the
United Kingdom, New Zealand, Sweden, the United States, France and Mauritius.
Every country on the planet is committed to completing the switch to digital TV.
Will I need a satellite dish to receive DTT?
No because digital signals are broadcast using the existing terrestrial broadcasting
network.
Will I need a new aerial to receive DTT?

This is unlikely although a minority of viewers may need a new aerial or an upgrade
of their existing aerials.
Will I need any other additional equipment to receive DTT?
You will need a digital Set Top Box (STB). The STB is not the same as existing TV
equipment and is a completely new device that has not been available previously.
What is a Set Top Box (STB)?
The STB plugs directly into your existing analogue TV and enables it to receive the
new digital transmission.
Why do I need a Set Top Box?
Without the STB you will be unable to view digital TV because your analogue TV will
be unable to decode the digital transmission.
What will the Set Top Box cost?
It is estimated the cost of the free-to-air STB will be around R400 to R700. There are
no additional costs to receiving DTT.
Do you need a Set Top Box to receive the DTT services if you have DSTV?
DSTV is a satellite service. Therefore, if you wish to receive all the DTT free-to-air
services you will have to purchase a DTT Set Top Box that receives the digital
terrestrial signal.